It has been quite long since I wrote the last entry. I have been bogged down by work as the semester is coming to its close. I finally managed to have some free time today to put in this entry. Sorry if you have been waiting.
This is a Speaking lesson which I adapted from the reality show the 'Nescafe Kickstart'. As I watched it, ideas came to me that it could be implemented in class to make students speak.
I call the activity 'The Dream Project'.
The objective of this lesson can be i) speaking with confidence and fluency [using correct pronunciation, stress, intonation and rhythm]; and ii) presenting an argument [making suggestions and recommendations].
Here's how to carry out the lesson:
Divide your class into several groups of 4 or 5 students. Then, choose one group to become the 'International' group while the rest would become 'Local' groups. To insert fun, make students draw lots to become 'International' or 'Local'. All in all, there would be 1 'International' company and several 'Local' companies.
Next, set the situation. You can write the situation on the board or alternatively, produce handouts and distribute them to the groups. The task and situation for all local groups are the same; but the international group would have a different task and situation.
Given below are the tasks for both types of groups. If you are going to do this lesson, you may copy and paste the given words into your handouts:
International Group
Situation: You are representatives of an international firm. Your CEO intends to donate RM100,000 to KPLM. The money can only be used for projects (of any kind) to improve the state of thing in KPLM. Some local companies will plan the projects to be implemented and will present them to you. Your CEO has instructed you to listen to their presentations and choose a project to invest in. The money will only be given if you find the project workable and can be implemented.
You must:
a) decide whether each project is worth RM100,000 or not.
b) decide whether the project is workable or not.
c) choose one project to be implemented. Give reasons why you choose that project
and why you do not choose other projects.
and why you do not choose other projects.
Present your decision and reasons for your choice to the staff of the local companies.#
Additionally, you can ask the 'International group' to prepare one project that they themselves would implement in case other projects are not suitable.
Local Group
Situation: You are representatives of a local company in charge of improving the state of things in KPLM. You have been informed that an international firm is going to donate RM100,000 to KPLM. The director of KPLM has asked you to decide on how the money should be used.
You must:
a) think of a project (of your choice) to be done in KPLM to improve the state of things in KPLM which is
worth RM100,000.
b) describe what you are going to do and how you are going to do it.
c) give reasons why you want to have this project.
d) explain why or how your project:
i) is good for KPLM
i) is good for KPLM
ii) is better than the projects presented by the other companies.
Present your project to the representatives of the International firm. Persuade and convince them that your project should be selected instead of other projects.#
After the students form their groups, allocate around 7 to 10 minutes for group discussions. After the given time, start right away with the presentations as all the group presentations can take up the whole lesson. You can allow questions to be asked by the audience, but limit them to perhaps only 3 questions. But it actually depends on the time that you have, or whether you are comfortable to continue this activity in the next lesson.
Arrange for the 'International' group to present last.
All the best if you are doing this activity. Hopefully it will be an enjoyment to you, too, as it had been for me.
After the students form their groups, allocate around 7 to 10 minutes for group discussions. After the given time, start right away with the presentations as all the group presentations can take up the whole lesson. You can allow questions to be asked by the audience, but limit them to perhaps only 3 questions. But it actually depends on the time that you have, or whether you are comfortable to continue this activity in the next lesson.
Arrange for the 'International' group to present last.
All the best if you are doing this activity. Hopefully it will be an enjoyment to you, too, as it had been for me.
